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They died on D-Day or during the battles that followed while liberating France and the rest of Europe from Nazi domination.

The survivors are now in their late 80s and 90s. Father time is their enemy, one that cannot be defeated.

But their D-Day legacy remains one of history's most critical turning points.

Almost 69 years after the invasion, 24 of those World War II veterans received France's Legion of Honor Medal on Tuesday at a ceremony at the International Motorsports Center, NASCAR's office building.

Established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the medal is the most prestigious honor given by France for exceptional merit. Notable American recipients in the past include Thomas Edison, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Colin Powell.

"Today we honor 24 of those courageous veterans who represent all of those who fought for our freedom," Gael de Maisonneuve, the French counsel general in Miami, told a standing-room-only crowd. "I am honored to have the opportunity to formally present you with my country's highest distinction and assure you that the French people will never forget what you did."

Michael Yatsuk of Daytona Beach Shores served with the Army Air Corps from D-Day through the Battle of the Bulge. "I'm excited. This is something I never thought about."

At age 94, Yatsuk was the oldest recipient Tuesday, which was attended by four generations of his family, including his 9-year-old great grandson, Cameron.

The medal currently is being given to American veterans nationwide who fought during the liberation of France between 1944-45.

Isadore Serkin, 89, of Ormond Beach had his medal pinned to his old Army dress jacket. He was a messenger in the infantry at Normandy.

"I'm quite amazed," he said of receiving France's top honor. "I never had anything like this."

Ian Mackenzie, 89, of Palm Coast was a pilot who flew 79 missions in a P-38 at Normandy, moving on to other campaigns in France, Belgium and Germany, "As the front lines moved up, we moved up."

"I think it's great of the French doing this," he said.

Claude Berthoin, the French consulate's Volusia, Flagler and St. Johns County representative, said World War II veterans are being sought out who served in France after the invasion to liberate Europe on June 6, 1944. They then must apply and subsequently are screened for the medal.

"Not all of the applications result in a medal," said Berthoin, an international businessman from Ormond Beach. "It's a long process. It has to be certified. It takes almost a year."

So far, he said about 800 medals have been handed out in Florida — the most in the United States.

"The French people owe you," Berthoin told the veterans. "It is a blessing you survived."

Frank Smith, 86, of Ponce Inlet lied about his age in March 1943 so he could join the Army, telling authorities he was 18, two years older than he was.

Smith was involved in three combat campaigns in France with the infantry as a combat engineer, landing at Normandy.

"This was tremendous," he said after the ceremony.

Then it was time to join others and celebrate the victory of Normandy and the freedom they gave Europe as teenagers — with some French champagne and pastries.

Legion of Honor Medal recipients

Kenneth Burgess, New Smyrna Beach

John Defalco, Ponte Vedra

Charles Earnest, Gainesville

James Gibides, Daytona Beach

Martin Graybeal, Ormond Beach

Douglas Hallahan, Deltona

George Horton, Palm Coast

Herbert Kinnan, Titusville

Eric Lee, Port Orange

Ian Mackenzie, Palm Coast

Clement Mackey, Edgewater

Leo McCracken, Gainesville

Phillip McSpadden, The Villages

Charles Paiva, DeLand

Lee Raup, DeLand

Donald Robertson, Lady Lake

Thomas Santarsiero, Gainesville

William Scruggs Jr., Gainesville

Isadore Serkin, Ormond Beach

John Sheldon, Ormond Beach

Frank Smith, Ponce Inlet

Joseph Vogel, Daytona Beach

Howard Wilcox, Daytona Beach

Michael Yatsuk, Daytona Beach Shores

What is the Legion of Honor medal?

Created in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the award recognizes exceptional service to France, and rewards military and "civil merits." On the 60th anniversary of the Normandy invasion in 2004, France decided to grant the medal to all U.S. veterans who fought to liberate the country. There are five degrees of the Legion of Honor, including knight, which the veterans received.

For more information about applying for the medal call 305-403-4180 or email legionofhonorflorida@yahoo.com.

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